Buffalo Bills News - May 7, 2002

One Last Round With Drew [5:30 AM]Hartford Courant reports:
'Monday's "shootout," a five-man scramble won by former Bruins great Cam Neely and his group, raised $140,000 for Bledsoe's charitable foundation, which emphasizes "parenting with dignity." While Drew and his wife, Maura, fly to Buffalo today for house-hunting, his father, Mac, will be visiting Connecticut state prison inmates.'

May 6, 2002

Tom Donahoe and Gregg Williams Headed Massive Roster Turnover [10:35 PM]Empire reports:
Only 25 players remain on the Bills roster that preceded the present general manager and coach. That is an astonishing turnaround in a very short amount of time. That number consists of just 47% of a 53-man roster and the changes are not yet finished.

5th Down: The Wildest Comeback [3:22 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
As the kick sailed through the goalposts, the Buffalo Bills soared into football history. This game had been more than a wild-cardů It was a wild dream, a moment of glory for a franchise built on turning fantasies into reality.

Peter King's MMQB [1:21 PM]CNN/SI reports:
I think I'm really starting to like the Bills. Look how they played last December, particularly in beating the Jets on the road and taking the Patriots to the last play. And look what they've added. This is, minimum, a wild-card team in 2002.

Projected move - OT John Fina, Buffalo -> Cleveland

"Kids Day" Features Discounted Tickets [12:15 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
For the second straight year, the Bills preseason schedule will include a special "Kids Day" promotion. When the team hosts the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, August 16 at Ralph Wilson Stadium, tickets for kids 14 & under can be purchased at a reduced cost of $8.00 for the public and $6.00 for season ticket account holders.

Tasker a model for Bills' picks to follow [5:07 AM]D and C reports:
'With any luck, Buffalo's newest class has more individuals who want to be "the best" instead of just "pretty good." The trait that separated Buffalo's Super Bowl teams from the pack.'

Bills pass the test [7:24 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'Polian: ``I can only tell you what Drew looked like when we played against him, when we studied him on film, and what we saw against Pittsburgh. We see nothing that would lead us to believe he still doesn't have a lot left. He's probably got at least another four to five good years left.'''

May 4, 2002

Alex looking for 2nd career as media critic? [12:42 PM]Empire reports:
Alex Van Pelt will be one of the panelists on "FAN TV" (Tuesday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m, ESN) "Taking Aim" segment discussing the best ever sports movies. Included is a feature to include Bills Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly,

Sour Patsie fan says Patriots came ahead in deal [11:10 AM]The Sporting News reports:
Despite what most fans think, the Patriots have done nothing to weaken their team after their Super Bowl championship season. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are not going to be Super Bowl contenders this year.

Bills' voice Miller needs to know when to sign off [9:23 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'But from the letters and e-mails I received after last season's suggestion that Miller have a triumphant farewell tour, replacing him now wouldn't lead to much of a backlash, if any at all.'

May 3, 2002

Bills RB Curtis Alexander Pushing For A Roster Spot [9:34 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The one thing that is for certain come training camp time in the end of July is that the battle for a roster position in the Bills' backfield will be fierce. With five running backs and three fullbacks listed on Buffalo's current roster...

Staley likely won't be Eagles' answer at RB [5:13 PM]The Sporting News reports:
The Eagles have been hitting the free-agent market hard in hopes of finding a running back who can fill the void left by Buckhalter's season ending knee injury. Levens is currently being courted by coach Andy Reid, and so is Shawn Bryson.

Three questions which need to be answered [2:36 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
The spring is for new hope, but many times it is unwarranted. What might look good in April won't look good in September.
1. The Bills insist they have their franchise passer in Drew Bledsoe, but is he the same passer?
2. Can the running game work with a committee approach or does one of the three -- Travis Henry, Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris -- have to take over the primary duties?
3. Who will provide the outside pass rush that is so necessary to the Gregg Williams defense?

Dr. Z: Bledsoe and the Walsh offense? [12:31 PM]CNN/SI reports:
OC Kevin Gilbride has his whole background in the run 'n shoot, which is pretty far removed from Bledsoe's dropback style. Either Bledsoe is an old dog who has to learn new tricks (not likely) or Gilbride has to cut back on his tendencies and tailor his attack more to Bledsoe's talents, which makes greater sense. They've certainly got the people for it, namely Eric Moulds, one of the game's finest long-ball receivers, and TE Jay Riemersma, who's very effective coming down the seam. What they've got to do is put together a line that can hold its blocks longer, which is why they took the big tackle in the first round.

Bills' Bledsoe, Gilbride a coordinated fit [5:12 AM]D and C reports:
'"You can see a bright guy, a guy who steps easily into the role of being a leader. It's exciting. There's a long ways to go and thank goodness we have all the time in world to work with him. But having said that, it's nice to be working with a guy with the tools he has."'

Rob: 'I was the anti-Christ' [5:11 AM]D and C reports:
'Reports from Tampa Bay's mini-camps indicate Johnson is the same old Johnson, holding the ball too long, taking sacks, throwing lots of interceptions.'

May 2, 2002

Dwight Adams to receive distinguished alumni award [9:57 PM]Henderson State University reports:
"Adams joined the NFL in 1985 as a scout for the San Diego Chargers before joining the Buffalo Bills in 1991, where he served as director of player personnel for seven years. Named vice president of player personnel in 2000, Adams remains a key component in the team's draft success. During his tenure, the Buffalo Bills have played in three Super Bowls. He is renowned in the NFL as a top talent evaluator and is often asked to present NFL Draft diagnosis to local radio and television stations in Buffalo."

RB Curtis Alexander Live Call-In From Germany [6:05 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Visit buffalobills.com to hear a live audio broadcast of a conference call between the media and running back CURTIS ALEXANDER on Friday. May 3, beginning at 1:30 PM EST.

List of possible June 1 cuts [1:41 PM]ESPN reports:
Speculation by John Clayton. Not many DT's will be available with June 1 cuts for teams with a need for those players including Bills, Jets, & Redskins.
LT John Fina, (2002 Cap savings: $3 million, 2003 Cap hit: $5,693,526)
TE Jay Riemersma (2002 Cap savings: $2.525 million, 2003 Cap hit: $1,372,000)

Offseason musings: How has your team fared? [1:37 PM]sportingnews.com reports:
Eric Moulds will get similiar attention for the Bills as Drew Bledsoe will click with his first true downfield go-to guy since Terry Glenn had his heyday in New England. . . .

Demotion upsetting to Kaplan; Hope outtakes spring eternal [9:02 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'TNT recently sent along a release saying that the film ["Second String"], which stars Jon Voight as the Bills coach and Gil Bellows as the second string quarterback who leads the team to a Super Bowl victory, won't air until August 2003.'

Gota love big Mike [9:00 AM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
The humorous Mike Williams was the center of attention wherever he went during the draft in New York.

Browns to Scrimmage Here [7:11 AM]WROC-TV reports:
'The Cleveland Browns will make their first ever visit to Rochester in early August for two days of workouts with the Bills at St. John Fisher College.'